Trader Joe’s, Home Depot have grand openings

Despite a teetering economy, two large chain stores — Home Depot and Trader Joe’s — are planning their second Huntington Beach openings this weekend.

Home Depot, the world’s largest big-box home improvement retailer, will open a 126,000-square-foot store today at 19101 Magnolia St., at Garfield Avenue.

This is the chain’s 23rd Orange County store, and the second in Huntington Beach; the first is at 7100 Warner Ave.

Even with news releases indicating many scrapped plans for new store openings around the country, the Huntington Beach location was still seen as viable.

Trader Joe’s, a specialty grocer, will open at 21431 Brookhurst St., at Hamilton Avenue, at 8:30 a.m. Friday. Many opening-day events are planned.

Known for its frugal business practices, the grocery chain strives to “eliminate the middleman” and produces its own private-label products — from pre-assembled ethnic meals to baked goods — at affordable prices.

The chain is also known for its “Fearless Flyers” newsletter, which it sends out to patrons. The “Flyer” contains information about new and popular products, in a tongue-in-cheek, magazine-style format.

The other Trader Joe’s is at the Five Points shopping center on Main Street.